ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the optimal time of acupuncture intervention in the assisted reproduction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty female mice and 60 male mice were collected. 20 female mice were selected in the natural period group and the rest 100 female mice were prepared as the model of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). The model mice were randomized into a COH group, a down-regulation group, a gonadotropins (Gn) start group, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) group and an embryo culture group, 20 mice in each one. The donor mice and receptor mice were subdivided in each group, 10 mice in each subgroup. One week before the experiment, vas deferens ligature was done in 30 male mice and the other 30 male mice did not receive ligature. In the down-regulation group, the Gn start group, the HCG injection group and the embryo culture group, electroacupuncture (EA) was applied to "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zhongji" (CV 3) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) at the time points accordingly. EA stimulation was in the condition of continuous wave, 2 Hz and 1 mA. No inter-vention was given in the natural period group and the COH group. On the day of HCG injection, the donor mice and the non-ligatured male mice were put in the same cage of each group. The fertilized ovum was collected with the date of fertilization marked and was fostered in the incubator. At the ratio of 1:1, the receptor mice and ligatured mice were put in the same cage in each group. The vaginal plug was examined in the next morning. The pseudopregnancy was marked with the date of plug observed. In the 68th hour of embryo culture, the embryo of the donor was shifted to the receptor on the same day when the plug was observed. The clinical pregnancy rate and embryo imbed site number were observed. RT-PCR assay was adopted to determine the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA in endometrium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the COH group, the pregnancy rate, average imbed site number and endometrial IGF-1 mRNA expression were all significantly lower than those in the natural period group (all<0.01). After EA treatment, in the Gn group, the HCG injection group and the embryo culture group, the pregnancy rates were higher significantly than those in the COH group (<0.05,<0.01). In the HCG injection group, the average imbed site number and IGF-1 mRNA expression were increased apparently as compared with those in the COH group (both<0.01), better than those in the Gn group and the embryo culture group (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the treatment with acupuncture combined with IVF-ET for infertility, the intervention of acupuncture on the day of HCG injection is the optimal time point. It increases the secretion of endometrial IGF-1 so as to improve the clinical pregnancy rate, the mean imbed site number and the embryo implantation.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the influence of three kinds of Walnut kernel extracts on learning and memory ability as well as ultrastructural pathology in hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods AD rat model was established by injection of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ1-40 ) into the nucleus basalis of meynert. The AD rats were randomly divided into Walnut kernel-water group,Walnut kernel-ethanol group,Walnut kernel-acetone group,and the model control group,10 rats in each group. In addition,10 rats of normal control group and 10 rats of sham operation group were selected. The model control group was not treated; the treatment groups were intragastrically given Walnut kernel water extract,ethanol extract,and acetone extract ( the equivalent of pharmacognosy 0. 3 g·mL-1 ),respectively,dose 3 g·kg-1 . The learning and memory ability was studied by Morris water maze,and ultrastructure of neurons was observed under the transmission electron microscopy. Results The time of looking for platform in Walnut kernel-water group,Walnut kernel-ethanol group,and Walnut kernel-acetone group were dropped swiftly at the beginning of 3 days, the third day is (51. 80±4. 37),(61. 20±4. 67),and (59. 63±5. 24),respectively; the model control group is (67. 67±6. 12) s. Compared with the model group,the differences were significance (P<0. 05); However,the acetone extract of Walnut kernel can obviously enhance the learning and memory ability (P<0. 01),and the ultrastructure almost returned to normal. Conclusion The acetone extracts of Walnut kernel have the function of preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Objeetive To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on microglia, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-or (TNF-α) in the frontal lobes of rats modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Forty-eight normal SD rats 24 months old were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operated group, a model group and an EA group, with 12 rats in each group. The AD model was established by stereotaxic microinjection of agglutinated amyloid-beta protein (A1β-40, 1 μl, 10 μg/μl) into the rats' bilateral Meynert nucleus. The effects of EA applied to the rats' "Baihui" ( DU 20) "Taixi" ( KI 3 )" and "Zusanli" ( ST 36) acupoints were observed. The EA treatment was applied once a day for 6 days as a course. The next course of treatment was continued after one day's rest and the total treatment involved 2 courses. The activated mieroglia and the expression of IL-1β, and TNF-α in the frontal lobe were determined by immunohistochemistry method. Results The number of cells exhibiting microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α in the frontal lobes of rats in the model group increased significantly, but after EA treat-ment, cells showing microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α decreased remarkably. There were significant differences in compar-ison with the model group (P≤0. 01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture treatment can depress inflammatory reac-tion in the frontal lobe of AD rats and adjust the rats' immunologic state.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of electropuncture on activation of glial cells and neuronic ultrastructure in hippocampus of Alzheimer disease(AD) rats,and to investigate its protective effect on neuron.Methods AD rat model was established by microinjection of amyloid-beta protein(A?1-40) into the Meynert nucleus of rats,then randomly divided into normal group,sham operation group,model group and electropuncture group,14 rats in each.Electro-acupuncture was given at "baihui(DU 20)","taixi(KI 3)" and "zusanli(ST 36)"in the electro-acupuncture group;activation of glial cells in hippocampus was determined by immunohistochemistry,and ultrastructure of neurons was observed under transmission electron microscopy in all group of rats.Results A great number of glial cells were activated in model group with increase of the number,nerve cell degeneration,endoplasmic reticulum to expand,and chondriosome to swell.After treatment of electro-acupuncture,the number of activated glial cells decreased as compared with model group,and the ultrastructure returned to almost normal.Conclusions Electro-acupuncture treatment can decrease the number of activated glial cells of AD rats so as to protect the neurons.